Improvement in boxes for holding and transporting bottles



i l. MATTHEWS. Boxes for Holding and Transporting iottles.

` Patented June 10, 1873.

l is.

* UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN MATTHEWS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENl IN BOXES FOR HOLDING AND TRANSPORTING BOTTLES.`

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 139,722, dated June 10, 1873; application filed May 16, 1813.

vhave invented certain new and useful Improvements in Boxes or Gases for Holding and Transporting Bottles; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, in which- Figure l shows a plan view 5 Fig. 2, alongitudinal vertical section; Fig. 3, perspective view of the box; and Fig. 4 a vertical transverse section.

The object of the invention is to provide a box for carrying bottles containing mineral water, soda-water, ale, wine, and other liquids which are distributed or shipped in bottles; and consists of an open-slatted box-shaped frame, containing pi geom-holes or receptacles for holding each bottle separate from the others. When used as a shipping-case it is provided with an open slatted cover and bottom, the cover being provided with hinges and alock. The sides 'are open so as to exhibit the bottles in the box.

The following description will enable others to make and use the invention.

A A represents the ends of the box; B C, the sides of the box 5 w m, opening between sides of box; d d d, the partitions running across the box and fitting into the partitions e c e running lengthwise of the box; fff, transverse strips extending across the box beneath the partitions, and resting on the side G. The strips B and C, forming the sides of the box, are let into the ends A A. The 1ongitudinal partitions e e e rest upon the stripsv f f f. The transverse partitions d d d are let into and rest in the longitudinal partitions e e e. The partitions, when locked together, are bored with a tubular saw, of a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the bottle tobe transported. The shoulders of the bottles rest upon the transverse strips f f f. Beneath the transverse strips is the center* bar g secured to the ends of the box, forming a guard to protect the necks of the bottles while handling the boxes. when the bottom is not further inclosed by strips, as in the shipping-case, and also forming a longitudinal beam supporting the transverse strips f f f. It is evident that by this construction of the box great strength is attained, as the transverse strips f f f may be nailed or otherwise secured to the lower side C of the box. I make the lower side U, preferably, of somewhat thicker material than the `upper side B, as by this means more security is aiibrded to the nails. The transverse strips may also be nailedor otherwise secured to the longitudinal strips e e e, thus enabling the transverse strips to be so nailed that each bottle is prevented from pressing the strips apart. The opening x into the sides of the box serves the double purpose of exhibiting the bottles, makes the box lighter, and also permits the transverse strips to pass through the box and be secured to the lower side piece C.`

The partitions d e may be madethicker than the ordinary boxes without loss of space, as the boring out or luting of the central part of the pigeonholes does not weaken the-partitions, but leaves them as strong as they are where joined together, that part being already somewhat weakened by the jointing or notching at the junctions.

When used to distribute soda-water, mineral wat-er, ginger-ale, and the like, the slotted bottom and cover may be omitted, but when used as a shipping-case these should be added.

It will be seen that this case is very strong and comparatively light. All parts are thoroughly braced, so that it will bear rough usage -Without injury to the contents. The transverse partitions d d d being let into and resting on the longitudinal partitions e c @,the latter resting on the cross-strips f f f, which again are supported by the bar q, make a solid binding together and bracing of all the parts from top to bottom. I have shown only one bar, q, but if desired one may be placed under each of the longitudinal strips or partitions e.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Pat ent, is

1. The two series of partitions e and d d, ar

ranged at right angles within the box, and cross-pieces f f and protect the necks of the bored or uted, as described, so as to form bottles, substantially as set forth.

receptacles for the bottles, as set forth. In Vtestimony that lY claim the foregoing I 2. The box-frame, composed of end pieces, have hereunto set my hand this 14th day of four side pieces, B B and C C With space w May, 1873.

between, and the transverse strips ff, al1 JOHN MATTHEWS. combined and arranged substantially as described. K Witnesses:

3. The center-bar p, secured to the ends of B. F. HALL, i the box and arranged so as to support the S. A. CURTIS. 

